CH 132

Chapter 132

When Peaceful Times Cease To Exist : A Name That Calls Death, Part 4 — Momentary Reunion

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

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「Anyone, is there anyone here!?」

「Hey—! If you’re alive, someone please respond!」

Alfiris followed Fenna as she ran around the village in a near frenzy. Trees that had replaced houses were on fire, and what could have been fields were in shambles. But none of the Seekers were there, and no bodies were to be found again.

This incomprehensible situation, on the contrary, Alfiris makes herself calm down, but Fenna is not so sure.

「Everybody, everybody… where are you!?」

「Calm down, Fenna.」

「Calm down? How can I calm down, it’s my people!? Perhaps to you, they’re just other people to you, Alfie.」

After Fenna had said that much, she noticed the sad look on Alfiris’ face. Even Alfiris, though not as kind as Fenna, doesn’t think of it as a personal matter. She and Fenna had been together ever since they dropped her off at the village.

「I’m sorry, Alfie… I was so upset that I said terrible things.」

「It’s alright, Fenna. But more importantly, we need to find everyone.」

「Yeah, thanks…」

Fenna turned around to regain her composure, and at the same time a black shadow appeared in front of the girls.

「Who’s there!」

「Who are you people!」

Aerial and black shadows that reacted quickly—— It was a band of Seekers, but—— The two Seekers ready their bows for each other. One of the Seekers with a bow asks Alfiris and the other Seekers in a rough voice

「A human? Why there are humans here!」

「Wait, we are mercenaries. We just broke through the prairie and deliver a Seeker to this settlement. We have no intention of turning against you!」

「Liar! How many of you can plow through the prairie? Seekers and humans are not supposed to get along with each other. You’re one of them, aren’t you?」

「Them?」

「Please wait!」

Fenna steps out in front of Alfiris. The Seekers are surprised to see her, but they remain ready to fight back.

「I am Fenna of the Rosenworks family, of the forest of Dulcass. I have traveled all the way here. I would like to see someone in charge please!」

「Rosenworks…? Nonsense, that village over there should have been wiped out! Someone checked on them recently, you know?」

「Therefore, I alone survived.」

「I don’t believe it’s far-fetched. What’s your proof?」

「I have no proof, but that’s if you can get me to meet with someone royal…」

「I cannot do that!」

They can’t even criticize the Seekers for being so utterly hard-headed. They are in the middle of a battle. They couldn’t allow them to meet with the royal family, even if they’re their own people. And even though there are many different species of Seekers, some genera are indistinguishable from each other, and some forces were hostile to the royal family of Mutrio. The general soldier’s situation is such that he cannot afford to let his guard down.

Nor can they go to see Fenna and her family, who live in the forest of Dulcass. It was no wonder they didn’t recognize Fenna’s face.

Fenna couldn’t show her secret magic even if she was told it was evidence, and if she tried to chant magic, it would be seen as hostile behavior, and she couldn’t complain even if she was shot with a bow, no questions asked. The Rosenworks family doesn’t have the custom of having tattoos. Tattoos were common among belligerent races such as wild elves and schooners.

Fenna pondered what to do, and the soldiers couldn’t just kill a Rosenworks without question now that her name had been mentioned.

「What are you doing! Did you find any survivors?」

「Ah, Captain Willam!」

「Willam?」

Fenna, who shouted out, and the Seeker called William, who responded to her voice, looked at each other.

「Fenna, is that you…?」

「Ahh, Willam! It’s you, isn’t it? I’m glad that I finally met someone I know…」

Tears involuntarily spill from Fenna’s eyes, perhaps from relief. Fenna rushes out, forgetting that she has an arrow poised, and Willam urges his men to lower their arrows before rushing to Fenna. Then they held each other’s hands and looked at each other as if they were nostalgic, as if they were looking at a loved one.

「Fenna, what are you doing here?」

「I’ve traveled a long way… with these girls.」

Fenna urged Alfiris and the others. Alfiris and the others bailed lightly, and Willam bowed politely.

「This is our princess, who has been indebted to… I am in an urgent situation at the moment, so a polite greeting and thank you will come later.」

「Yeah, don’t worry about it.」

「I’m so sorry. Fenna, I thought you were dead.」

「…Everyone sacrificed themselves to help me. Even my father and mother. I’ve recovered the secret arts without incident. What’s going on? Give me a status report.」

Fenna returns to her princess-like demeanor. Although Alfiris and the others seem to forget it, Fenna is a royal Seeker and is supposed to be in a position to lead others. She herself had an unpretentious personality, so it doesn’t bother her, but in front of the person she should be directing, Fenna as the royalty she really is, emerged.

But even Willam didn’t understand the situation and only shook his head weakly.

「I don’t know either. Suddenly something appeared from everywhere, and the next thing I knew, we were in this mess. I have not seen the enemy, but the 5th Prince is leading one of his troops into battle. I was just taking my men to see if there were any survivors still left.」

「The chief… is Orbastof-sama all right?」

「Yes, rather not much damage has been done yet. There have been quite a few deaths in the north and west, but still only the first, and still not that many for a raid. The royal family is safe and we have now begun evacuating to the east while we adjust our posture. However, since the enemy is unknown and appears one after another from all over the place, we have been told to escape to the east in order to regroup once again.」

Hearing that much, Fenna is somewhat thoughtful, but quickly gathers her thoughts.

「I understand. Then please take me to Orbastof-sama. I must see the chief first.」

「Roger that. And the people behind you?」

「Of course. They are my dear friends.」

「I see. Okay, Auri.」

「Yes.」

A young seeker called Auri responds.

「You take Fenna and the others and report this to the chief first. I’ll make a few more rounds and then I’ll be on my way.」

「Yes, sir. Then, Fenna-sama, this way, please.」

「Willam!」

Willam was about to leave when Fenna unexpectedly ran up to him, but was dissuaded when she tried to grab Willam’s hand again.

「What’s wrong, Fenna-sama?」

「No, I’m… I’m glad you’re okay.」

「The same goes for me. I will join you soon, so please go to the chief first. Once this settles down, I would like to have another long talk with you.」

「Me too. I’ll see you later.」

「Alright.」

And then Willam jerked at something, and he pushed Fenna away screaming, and the aerial pulled Fenna down at about the same time.

《Deep Press》

「「Watch out!」」

「Eh…?」

Fenna doesn’t know what has happened and is left at the mercy. It felt slow to be pulled down, but it was only a moment before the storm raced past as the scene in front of Fenna’s eyes slid right across. And then you hear it, a dull sound like the crushing of a large piece of fruit.

It was so instantaneous that Fenna, who was dragged down by Aerial, didn’t seem to understand what had happened. Fenna, stunned, tried to shift her eyes to where the storm had rushed past, but

「Don’t look, Fenna!」

Aerial was the first to close her eyes. It was the sight that Fenna never wanted her to see: the image of Willam, who had just been talking with Fenna. He was slammed into the large tree that was also their dwelling, as if he had been struck by a large steel plate with tremendous force.

The house was crushed and deformed rather than collapsed, and Willam and the other Seekers were cruelly disfigured, as if the ripe couscous fruit had fallen to the ground, unable to bear its weight. There were around ten of them, I believe, but they were too shattered to be identified any longer. Of course, there was no way to seek Willam.

「What… did just happened…?」

Fenna’s head dimly understands, but her heart does not want to admit the fact. She doesn’t shake off Aerial’s hand, but only asks lazily.

「Fenna, Willam is already…」

「No! I don’t want hear it!!」

「Fenna…」

「…Fufu, careful, careful… I’m not sure I’d be excited about fighting for the first time in a long time… I’m having trouble with my force… I almost crushed the princess, which is the whole point…」

Before Aerial had time to calm Fenna, who was about to go half-crazy, Lifeless slowly appeared. He was carrying a black bag of something on his shoulder. Lisa was the first to react to his figure.